Joey Ramsden could be the answer to punters’ prayers at Durbanville tomorrow and certainly his Still I Rise looks the one they all have to beat in the Betting World Handicap.
This Australian-bred filly lost a fatal amount of ground at the start over 1 000m here early in the month and made up all bar a short head. That performance suggests she will be suited by this extra furlong, she races off the same mark and has a plum draw. At yesterday’s 33-10 she really appeals.
Joey Ramsden
She had the Brett Crawford-trained Honey Suite (3-1) over two lengths behind and renews rivalry on the same terms. Township Melody is favourite at 22-10 and is having her first run since Durban in early August. There is no denying the claims of this Snaith-Fourie representative but it is Still I Rise who has the plus factors.
Ramsden can also win the first with Consul Of War even though this gelding is an apparent no-no as he is having his second run after a rest since injury (he hurt himself behind and was off for over ten months). He is also a four-year-old taking on three-year-olds and most of those get beaten.
But his third to the smart Frank Lloyd Wright here in early August suggests he may still be as good as he was early last season and he is well drawn – still a vital factor on this course despite last year’s well-documented improvements.
Senatla disputes favouritism at 33-10 with Bernard Fayd’Herbe’s mount and made a reasonable debut at the end of August but he needs to find a fair bit – he was beaten six lengths. Retro Effect (9-2) showed plenty of promise first time but his second run (here) was nothing like as good (his rider reported that he took no interest) and he is drawn in the bush. Carlton Heights (11-2) ran well from a nine draw last time but he starts even wider while Snaith’s Swift Surprise (8-1) would have to live up to his name to score from gate 14.
Keagan de Melo can make his journey pay off by winning race two on Cantata. Glen Kotzen’s filly has two good runs to her name and the most recent was from a bad draw. The 7-2 shot looks like proving too good for the ten-drawn 19-10 favourite Madonna and 9-2 chance Captain’s Choice whose 16 gate is surely the kiss of death.
It might be tempting providence to suggest that Ramsden will have a third winner but Sparkeling Fire (4-1) is top-rated in the Interbet.co.za Maiden and her form is consistently good.
By Michael Clower
